Brushing and Flossing
Maintaining a consistent brushing and flossing routine is crucial when you have braces to keep your teeth and gums in top condition throughout your orthodontic treatment. If you neglect proper oral hygiene, you may need more frequent dental visits for professional cleanings. If you’re an adult with a gum disease history, seeing a periodontist during your orthodontic care is advisable.
Eating with Braces
Wondering what you can eat with braces? The key is knowing what to avoid! Stick to soft foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and soup during the first few days as your mouth adjusts. Avoid:
- Crunchy snacks
- Chewy candies
- Raw fruits or vegetables that require a lot of biting
Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying most foods again, but it’s important to always protect your braces by making mindful choices.
Foods to Avoid
- Chewy foods: toffee, taffy, chewy granola bars
- Crunchy foods: chips, pretzels
- Sticky foods: fruit snacks, gummy bears
- Hard foods: ice cubes, hard pretzels
- Foods you need to bite into: whole pears, raw carrots, uncut sandwiches
Avoid chewing on hard objects like your nails, bottle caps, or ice, as these can damage your braces and extend your treatment time.
Rubber Band Wear
Successful orthodontic treatment is a team effort between you and your orthodontist. Your teeth and jaws can only move into their correct positions if you consistently:
- Wear your rubber bands or other prescribed appliances
- Follow your orthodontist’s instructions
- Take care of your appliances.
Staying on track with these guidelines will help ensure your treatment progresses smoothly.
Loosening of Teeth
It’s completely normal for your teeth to feel a bit loose during your treatment—this means they’re moving into their new, corrected positions. Once your treatment is completed, your teeth will firm up in their final positions.
Loose Wire or Band
If a wire or band becomes loose, don’t worry—it happens from time to time. If a wire starts to poke out and irritate your mouth, gently:
- Tuck it back under the archwire using something blunt like the eraser end of a pencil.
- Cover the wire with a small piece of wax or a damp cotton ball if irritation continues.
- Contact our office as soon as possible to schedule a repair appointment.
General Soreness
When your braces are first applied, it’s normal to feel some general soreness in your mouth and sensitivity in your teeth for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relief, like ibuprofen, can help manage the discomfort. Your cheeks, lips, and tongue might also feel tender as they get used to the braces. We provide orthodontic wax that you can apply to areas of your braces that may cause irritation, which should help ease any discomfort.
Athletics
If you’re involved in sports, it’s important to let us know so we can provide a protective mouthguard to safeguard your braces during physical activities. Wearing a mouthguard helps:
- Prevent injuries to your teeth and gums
- Protect your orthodontic appliances
A mouthguard is essential whether you’re playing football, basketball, or even non-contact sports like cycling. Remember, protecting your braces during sports preserves your smile and keeps your treatment on schedule.
